Gys Steyn Chair in Financial Regulation Law
Various factors can impact the effective functioning of the financial system and render it vulnerable to instability and manipulation, which could affect investor confidence and make it easy for unscrupulous or criminal activities to thrive. A robust regulatory system is, therefore, essential for economic stability and growth, and to ensure the resilience of the financial system, when faced with crises. Regulation, other than fulfilling a control function, also has a role to play in the facilitation of opportunities, activities, integration, and coordination across the sector.
In 2024, Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Law took the significant step of establishing the Gys Steyn Chair in Financial Regulation Law, the first of its kind in South Africa. This places Stellenbosch University in a prime position to make a substantive and lasting contribution to the regulation of the financial sector.
Gys Steyn Chair
Prof Johann Scholtz
Prof Johann Scholtz is the first incumbent of the Gys Steyn Chair in Financial Regulation Law. He is an expert in financial services law and regulation. Prof Scholtz is an alumnus of the University of Pretoria where he graduated in 1986 with an LLB cum laude, and Cambridge University, where he completed his LLM in 1988. He has represented clients before various tribunals and regulators as well as the High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, and was an acting judge in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg during the third term of 2023.
Activities
Key activities of the Chair include:
Bolstering SA's position through impactful research, focused high-quality teaching, public lectures, thought leadership and colloquia.
Monitoring global developments in the regulation of digital currencies, open banking, blockchain, sustainable financing, the regulation of carbon
markets, ESG (environmental, social and governance criteria in regulation and investment) and the regulation of climate risk management by banks and
insurers.Introducing two new financial regulatory LLM modules, namely Principles of Financial Regulation Law and Advanced Corporate Governance, in 2026.
Offering a specialised coursework Master's Degree (LLM) in Financial Regulation.
Attracting research LLM and LLD candidates in the field.